The US Air Force has revealed plans to purchase and integrate 100 infrared search and track (IRST) pods for its Boeing F-15C/D fleet, the latest addition to a $3 billion portfolio of upgrades since 2000 for the dwindling Eagle fleet.

Lockheed Martin will supply Boeing with an upgraded version of the ANS-42 IRST pod that originally flew on the US Navy’s Grumman F-14D Tomcat, and was selected more recently for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Unlike the F/A-18’s IRST pod, which is mounted at the front of a fuel tank, the F-15 version will feature a sleeker pod design mounted on its “Station 5″ stores pylon, says Brad Jones, Boeing’s F-15 radar modernisation programme manager. A similar pod has already been supplied for South Korea’s F-15K fleet.
Although mounted on the aircraft’s belly, the long-range sensor will have the ability to look up by 5°, Jones says. As a passive sensor, the IRST pod will augment the F-15C/D fleet’s mechanically and electronically scanned radars to search for enemy aircraft and missiles at very long range, he adds.

The selection provides a glimpse into the possible future for the USAF’s core fleet of F-15C/Ds and F-15E Strike Eagles.

The USAF plans to retire about 170 C/D model aircraft in 2010, reducing its non-stealthy air superiority fighter fleet from about 400 to 230 fighters. This is expected to be further reduced to a core of 176.

These so-called “Golden Eagles” may be in line for further upgrades, including active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars and digital electronic warfare suites.

Congress has already inserted money to upgrade mechanical radars for 16 USAF F-15C/Ds with Raytheon’s APG-63(V)3 AESA. Meanwhile, the air force is also upgrading all 224 F-15Es with the company’s APG-82(V)1, which matches the antenna from the APG-63(V)3 with the more advanced back-end processor from Raytheon’s APG-79. The latter is already operational on the USN’s F/A-18E/F and EA-18G Growler fleets.

The APG-82(V)1 system is actually cheaper to buy than the previous-generation APG-63(V)3, says Jones, perhaps making it a logical choice should the USAF decide to upgrade all 176 Golden Eagles to the AESA standard. Likewise, it also may consider upgrading all its F-15Es with the ISRT pod, he says.

Separately, Jones says Boeing is “close to reaching agreements” with foreign industry as risk-sharing partners on the company’s stealthy F-15 Silent Eagle. This converts conformal fuel tanks into internal weapons bays and adds a digital electronic warfare system. The risk-sharing deals are expected to coincide with an order for Silent Eagles by the host government.

USNS Safeguard (T-ARS-50) transited down the Saigon River on Sept. 12, quietly making history as the first U.S. Navy Military Sealift Command ship to utilize a Vietnamese shipyard for voyage repairs.

Safeguard accomplished repairs at Saigon Shipmarin Shipyard from Aug. 27 to Sept. 12, completing work on its davits, transformers, ladder wells and piping, before assuming a new mission in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

The idea to use a Vietnamese shipyard came from Military Sealift Fleet Support Command (MSFSC SSU) Singapore, which routinely contracts with shipyards throughout Southeast Asia to affect emergent and voyage repairs to U.S. Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force Program Ships. By utilizing multiple commercial shipyards throughout the region, the Navy saves both time and money by shortening the time vessels are off mission, and reducing transit times to more distant shipyards.

"This initiative started back in October 2008, when we began trying to establish repair relationships in Vietnam," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Little, officer in charge of MSFSC SSU Singapore. "Ship repair normally doesn't get too exciting, it was great being there when Safeguard came up the river and into the shipyard, and I was even more proud when it left on time with all the work complete."

Safeguard's successful completion of voyage repairs adds capability for the Navy, giving it another possible option for emergent or voyage repairs when port loading conditions at other commercial shipyards make them unavailable.

"The cooperation we received could not have been better," wrote Captain Peter Long, Safeguard's Master, in a note to the shipyard's leadership. "The people we met were talented professionals with an excellent work ethic… and the final result was a most successful voyage repair experience."

MDAA: New Missile Defense Plan Puts at Risk Defense of Eastern, Southeastern U.S.

WASHINGTON | Riki Ellison, President and Chairman of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA - Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance) details his thoughts on the new missile defense plan announced yesterday by the Department of Defense. His analysis and comments are as follows:

President Barack Obama and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates made a historic announcement yesterday to rescind on previous agreements with the governments of the Czech Republic and Poland to host a missile defense system that would protect the United States and parts of Europe. This decision places the Eastern and Southeastern portions of the U.S. at risk from long-range ballistic missile threats by not protecting those regions as equally as the rest of the country is now currently protected with long-range missile defenses. No realistic solution or alternative was introduced by the President and the Secretary of Defense to replace the long-range protection to our country's Eastern and Southeastern regions provided by those international agreements that are now voided.

The "new missile defense architecture" proposed by the President and the Secretary of Defense relies on the current and future development of sea- and land-based Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) coupled with the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and the Patriot point defense system to defend our forward based troops as well as friends and allies in Europe and throughout the world. We support the President's "new missile defense architecture" for its mobility, adaptability, integration, volume, and cost sharing with our allies for protection of U.S. deployed forces and our allies from the growing present threat of short and medium-range ballistic missiles.

However, from a military perspective this "new missile defense architecture" cannot defend the U.S. Homeland from a long-range ballistic missiles; it also cannot defend the two primary missile defense and early warning radars in Fylingdales, England and Thule, Greenland from long-range ballistic missiles. Today, the only system that has proven results to intercept long-range ballistic missiles is the currently deployed Ground Based Interceptors (GBI).

The SM-3 is specifically designed, developed and tested to intercept short- to medium-range missiles not the much faster and higher altitude long-range ballistic missiles. These SM-3 missiles technically cannot intercept long-range missiles in a real world live engagement and there is no validation or proof of concept that indicates otherwise.

Secretary Gates has requested the Congress to deploy 30 GBIs in Alaska and California to provide the U.S. Homeland protection from North Korea and Iran. Because of the extreme distance from Alaska, where all but 3 of the GBIs are deployed, and the distances from California to the Eastern Seaboard and the Southeastern U.S., particularly Florida, "high confidence" and equal protection cannot be attained without the deployment of an additional missile defense site closer to Iran then the current two sites are. The United States has invested tens of billions of dollars over the last seven years to provide an operational long-range missile defense system that provides "high confidence" from current U.S. Combat Commanders as it allows multiple shots from missile defense sites located in Alaska and California to intercept and destroy long-range ballistic missiles. This deployed system is fully operational and has defended our homeland from North Korea earlier this year.

The White House has declared that they expect the new missile defense architecture to be fully operational in 2020. Can those who live in the Eastern and Southeastern parts of our country wait 11 years when they know that they have already paid for a currently deployed system that is fully protecting "with high confidence" all the other parts of our country?

We need a solution and a realistic proven alternative whether that be in Fort Drum, New York, Grand Forks, North Dakota, or someplace else that can provide long-range ballistic protection of the Eastern and Southeastern regions of our country so that our homeland is equally protected.

Supplycore, Inc., Rockford, Ill.* is being awarded a maximum $525,000,000 Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO), indefinite quantity and indefinite delivery contract for supplies. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, federal civilian agencies and the Defense Logistics Agency. The original proposal was Web solicited with eleven responses. This contract is exercising the fifth option year period. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 17, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM500-02-D-0122).

Parker-Hannifin Corp., Irvine, Calif. is being awarded a maximum $16,570,224 firm fixed price, sole source, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for augmentor spray bars. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Air Force. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 18, 2012. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR-ZBAB), Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, Okla. (SPRTA1-09-D-0059).

Bijan’s Protective Equipment, Santa Rosa, Calif.* is being awarded a maximum $5,617,400 firm fixed price, total set aside, fixed quantity contract for knee and elbow pads. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There were originally four proposals solicited with four responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is October 3, 2010. The contracting activity is the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP), Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-09-C-0031).

NAVY

Hensel Phelps Soltek Joint Venture, Greeley, Colo., is being awarded an $116,920,072 firm-fixed price contract for design and construction of four Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The BEQ’s will house a total of 1,600 Marines in the standard 2+0 configuration and will include a multipurpose community area and laundry facilities. The contract also contains four planned options, which if issued, would increase cumulative contract value to $125,916,472. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by July 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website,with 16 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity (N62473-09-C-1601).

BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services, Rockville, Md., is being awarded a $76,000,000 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-06-D-0038) to exercise an option for engineering, analytical and manufacturing services to support various aging aircraft. Work will be performed in various locations throughout the United States (80 percent) and Rockville, Md. (20percent), and is expected to be completed in September 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded a $44,289,514 firm-fixed-price job order for 62 each U.S. Navy H-60 helicopter configuration multi-spectral targeting units (MTSs). The MTSs will be installed on U.S. Navy UH-60R and UH-60S models to enhance their sensor capabilities. Work will be performed in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be completed by November 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The job order was awarded on a sole source basis. Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Ind. is the contracting activity (N00164-06-G-8555).

DRS Systems, Inc., Parsippany, N.J., is being awarded a $13,818,940 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price, performance-based contractfor a modernized integrated voice communications system for AEGIS cruisers and destroyers. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to an estimated $59,161,146. Work will be performed in Johnstown, Pa., and is expected to be completed by September 2010. If all options are exercised, work could continue until September 2014. Contractfunds willnot expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract wascompetitively procured by full and open competition via the Federal Business Opportunities website, and the SPAWAR e-Commerce Central website, and threeoffers received. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Atlantic is the contracting activity (N65236-09-D-5190).

Greenhut Construction Co., Inc., Pensacola, Fla., is being awarded a $10,598,586 firm-fixed-price contract for the design, repair and modernization of Administrative Building 1500 at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Work will be performed in Pensacola, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2011. Funds for this project are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website, with 10 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity (N69450-09-C-6339).

HDR Architecture, Inc., Alexandria, Va., is being awarded $6,500,000 for firm-fixed price task order FNZ0 under a previously awarded multiple award architect-engineering contract (N62470-09-D-9044) for preparation of a design build Request For Proposal document for a Naval Hospital, parking structure, surface parking and associated development of access roads at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Work will be performed in Oceanside, Calif., and is expected to be completed by Apr. 2010. Funds for this project are provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Three proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, Calif., is the contracting activity.

AIR FORCE

Boeing Co., Long Beach, Calif., was awarded a $72,486,194 contract which will incorporate a flying hour engine cycle adjustment based on terms set forth in the basic C-17 Globemaster III sustainment partnership contract. At this time, the entire amount has been obligated. 730 ACSG/GFKAA, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (FA8614-04-C-2004, P00516)

DTS Aviation Services, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas was awarded a $41,111,000 contract for contractor logistics support for the C-21 aircraft, consisting of maintenance, repair and support functions. At this time, no money has been obligated. 727 ACSG/PKA, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (FA8106-05-C-0001/P00153)

EDO Corp., of North Amityville, N.Y., was awarded a $39,267,458 contract which will provide BRU-57 bomb release units and related spares applicable to F-16 aircraft. At this time, $10,713,728 has been obligated. 782 CONS, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., is the contracting activity. (FA8520-09-D-0004)

Booz Allen Hamilton, Inc. of Herndon, Va., was awarded a $38, 646,488 contract for the Commander U.S. Forces Command asymmetric warfare and improvised explosive device defeat readiness through survivabilityvVulnerability analysis, assessment, training and education. At this time, $6,450,554 has been obligated. 55 CONS, LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity. (SP0700-03-D-1380, DO:0314)

DynCorp International, LLC of Fort Worth, Texas was awarded a $31,276,841 contract which will provide for acquisition of aircraft maintenance services for the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. At this time the entire amount has been obligated. AETC/CONS/LGCK, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas is the contracting activity. (FA3002-09-C-0024)

Wyle Laboratories, Inc. of Huntsville, Ala., was awarded a $28,349,190 contract for the Reliability Information Analysis Center to research, test develop, and deliver engineering/analysis reports, test plans and or procedures, investigation reports, technical management work plans, safety assessment reports and technical reports for the F-15 avionic reliability, sustainability and Refreshment Program requirement. At this time $13,155,399 has been obligated. 55 CONS, LGCD, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity. (HC1047-05-D-4005, DO 0110)

McDonnell Douglas Corp., Long Beach, Calif., was awarded a $20,000,000 contract which provides for the development of integrated software and hardware upgrades to the C-17 aircraft via multiple projects. At this time, no money has been obligated. 516 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (F33657-01-D2000, P00022)

Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio, was awarded a $13,665,951 contract which will conduct data collection, assessment, evaluations, and studies associated with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear material systems. At this time, $205,797 has been obligated. 55 CONS, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., is the contracting activity. (SP0700-00-D-3180, DO:0615)

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, of Madison Miss., was awarded an $8,561,632 contract which will provide contractor logistics support for the C-12 aircraft for Pacific Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Defense Intelligence Agency and Defense Security Cooperation Agency; consisting of maintenance, repair and support functions for the first six months of the 2010 fiscal year. 727 ACSG/PKC, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (F34601-00-C-0111, P00542)

ARMY

Balfour / S&P Joint Venture, Dallas, TX, was awarded on Sept. 17, 2009 a $46,437,194 firm-fixed-price contract. This work is for the construction of the Lackland Airman Training Center Dormitory # 1 (first of eight). Work is to be performed at Lackland Air Force Base, TX, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 28, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 10 bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District, Fort Worth, TX, is the contracting activity (W9126G-09-C-0054).

John J. Kirlin Special Projects LLC., Rockville, Md., was awarded on Sept. 17, 2009 a $9,255,853 firm-fixed-price contract. This project consists of the renewal of the Nutritional Care Directorate at Evans Army Community Hospital. Work is to be performed at Fort Carson, Colo., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2011. Four bids solicited with four bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville District, Huntsville, Ala., is the contracting activity (W912DY-08-D-0023).

General Dynamics lands Systems, Sterling Heights, Mich., was awarded on Sept. 17, 2009 a $ 7,218,657 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for logistic support for the Saudi Arabia M1A2S Abrams Tank conversion. Work is to be performed in Warren, Mich., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 28, 2012. One bid solicited with one bid received. U.S. Army TACOM, Warren, Mich., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-C-0095).

Black Horse Group LLC., Watertown, N.Y., was awarded on Sept. 17, 2009 a $6,628,600 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a fire station. Work is to be performed at Fort Drum, Leray, N.Y., with an estimated completion date of Feb. 8, 2011. Approximately 169 bids were solicited with 10 bids received. U.S. Corp of Engineers, CENAN-CT, New York City, N.Y., is the contracting activity (W912DS-09-D-0004).

Sun Star LLC., San Diego, Calif. was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $24,973,773 firm-fixed-price construction contract. This project is for the design and construction effort to correct structural walls and floor slabs in 179 military family housing units. Work includes replacing partition walls, window wells, caulking floor slab perimeter, installing drain systems with sump pump under floor slab, topsoil and sod replacement for surface and drainage. Additionally, construction will correct surrounding pavements and utilities that have been damages and require repair. Work is to be performed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 15, 2012. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with six bids received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, Seattle, Wash., is the contracting activity (W912DW-09-C-0028).

Hanco Corp., Hattiesburg, Miss., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $8,174,000 firm-fixed-price contract. This project is for the construction of a 3 story 89 room barracks, warehouse, and 3-each three bedroom houses. Work is to be performed at Camp Shelby, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Mar. 24, 2011. Bids were solicited on the World Wide Web with 12 bids received. U.S. National Guard Bureau, United States Property & Fiscal Office, Jackson, Miss., is the contracting activity (W90FYQ-09-C-0009).

Camelbak Products LLC., Petaluma, Calif., was awarded on Sept. 16, 2009 a $5,966,953 firm-fixed-price research and development contract. This project consists of 77,979 pairs of United States Marine Corp flame resistant organizational gear flyer’s gloves. Work is to be performed in Seattle, Wash., (50 percent), and Camerio, Puerto Rico., with an estimated completion date of Aug. 01, 2010. Twenty bids were solicited via GSA EBUY with three bids received. U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, Mass., is the contracting activity (GS-07F-0127K).

Holloman AFB was selected as the aircraft host because of its ability to support aircraft and ordnance missions for White Sands Missile Range operations and its central location relative to the squadrons participating.

"Everybody from Holloman stepped up to help us pull off this operation," said Jimmy Morgan, the 586th Flight Test Squadron program manager.

During the four days of testing, nine aircraft were evaluated, including the UH-1Y Venom, CH-46E Sea Knight, CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache.

More than 1,500 infrared countermeasures were dispensed from the aircraft under various test conditions, providing valuable information to be used in theater.

"The Marine Corps, head of the countermeasures division, realized that there are emerging threats in Afghanistan involving helicopters being attacked from above with the use of heat-seeking missiles," said 1st Lt. Steve Crosbie, the 586th FLTS program manager.

The aircraft and their respective units deployed to Holloman AFB from Afghanistan for the duration of the testing, and afterward returned to the area of responsibility.

"They flew the helicopters with different configurations of flare and flying techniques to see what would help combat that threat the best," Lieutenant Crosbie said. "Once they get this information compiled, it will all go straight back to Afghanistan where they can hopefully fly more successful sorties against the enemy."

The 586th FLTS staff headed the operation for Holloman AFB and coordinated with different units throughout the base in order to support the Air Force's sister services.

"Hosting helicopters here was a little bit of a different setup than Holloman is used to," Mr. Morgan said. "It took a little bit more coordination with different agencies to make it happen."

The 49th Operations Support Squadron staff coordinated parking details and airfield hours, working 24 hour operations, while the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper squadrons provided maintenance space for the helicopters. Army Air Operations Division members provided local airspace procedures training to all of the visiting aircrew since they are the only helicopter-familiar organization stationed at Holloman AFB. Additionally, the 49th Fighter Wing Weapons Safety and 49th Maintenance Squadron Munitions Flight staff provided munitions support to 586th FLTS weapons personnel.

The testing was ultimately a success and will be used to improve aircraft survivability against infrared missiles, exemplifying a functioning partnership of joint forces to achieve a common goal -- to win today's fight, Mr. Morgan said.

"The testing was a success mainly due to a lot of efforts of Holloman and their ability go above and beyond their normal duty titles which may be launching F-22 (Raptors), but in this case, launching seven different types of helicopters for the Marine Corps, the Army and the Navy, in an effort to provide test data that will help protect the warfighter in theater," Lieutenant Crosbie said.

08:02 GMT, September 18, 2009 SAN DIEGO and MCLEAN, Va. | Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (NYSE: SAI) today announced it has been awarded a prime contract by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) - Newport Division to provide engineering, technical, and management services in support of NUWC's Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (AUV) Engineering Facility. The contract has a one year base period of performance, four one-year options, and a total value of more than $19 million if all options are exercised. Work will be performed primarily in Newport, R.I. The task order was awarded under the U.S. Navy's SeaPort-e contract.

NUWC is the Navy's premier research, development, test and evaluation, engineering, and Fleet support center for submarine warfare and other systems associated with the undersea battlespace. It provides research, development, test and evaluation, engineering and fleet support for submarines, autonomous underwater systems, undersea offensive and defensive weapons systems, and countermeasures. Under the task order, SAIC will provide engineering and technical support in areas including operator training and qualification; modeling and simulation; and analysis and assessment. SAIC will also provide services including software programming, design, development, and safety analysis; engineering design, development, and evaluation; information systems management; and program documentation.

"We look forward to providing NUWC Newport with technically diverse capabilities that will help enhance the future development of Navy AUVs," said Tom Baybrook, SAIC senior vice president and business unit manager

U.S. Air Force officals reveal criteria for basing of F-35 joint strike fighters

07:59 GMT, September 18, 2009 WASHINGTON | After extensive internal review, Air Force officials released Sept. 17 their basing criteria that will be used to determine the future basing of F-35 joint strike fighters.

The basing criteria were approved by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The basing criteria are airspace, flight training ranges, weather, support facilities, runways, taxi ramps, environmental concerns and cost factors.

"The Air Force is committed to an open and transparent process to address F-35 basing issues," said Ms. Kathleen Ferguson, Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations, "Ensuring affected communities are involved, know what to expect and understand timelines for development are critical to the end process of basing all future joint strike fighter aircraft."

Air Force officials will evaluate more than 200 Air Force sites against the approved criteria. Once that is complete, officials will consider other factors such as combatant commander requirements, aircraft retirements and delivery schedules; aircraft maintenance and logistics support; and integration with the Air National Guard and Reserve. This information will be used to identify two candidate basing lists, one list for operations and the other for training, to place the 250 to 300 joint strike fighter aircraft scheduled for delivery through 2017.

After the release of the candidate bases, the formal environmental impact analysis process will begin, allowing communities around each candidate base to participate and provide input. Based on the results of these efforts, the officials expect to announce the JSF preferred locations in late Spring 2010.

Once the formal Environmental Impact Statements are complete, Air Force officials will issue the Records of Decision and announce the final basing decisions. This is anticipated in early 2011.

"This enterprise-wide look enhances our ability to create, protect, and sustain all air and space forces across the full range of military operations," concluded Ms. Ferguson. "It is a deliberate, repeatable and transparent process."

The flight from Dover AFB broke eight existing world marks and established standards in 33 other categories where there had been no previous record attempt. The records were set in the Class C-1.S, Jet category for altitude in horizontal flight, altitude with payload, time-to-climb, time-to-climb with payload and greatest payload to 2,000 meters. The aircraft carried a payload of more than 80,000 kg (the actual measured payload weight was 176,610 lb) to an altitude of more than 41,100 feet in 23 minutes, 59 seconds.

"These records are simply a reflection of the capability of the Super Galaxy," said Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin C-5 Program vice president. "These records are not just for show. They demonstrate conclusively the C-5M's ability to quickly get the warfighter out of harm's way while carrying a larger payload than any other U.S. airlifter. This flight also showed the Super Galaxy can operate with that payload at operational altitudes. The C-5M is strategic airlift redefined."

The Class C-1.S Jet category is for aircraft weighing from 250,000 kilograms (551,155 pounds) to 300,000 kg (661,386 lb). The C-5M had a takeoff weight of 649,680 lb, which included fuel, crew weight, necessary equipment, and the payload, which was loaded on 29 standard U.S. military 463L cargo pallets. All C-5s are capable of carrying 36 pallets.

All of the records will first be certified as United States national records by the National Aeronautic Association, the nation's oldest aviation organization. The NAA, based in Arlington, Va., is the U.S. representative to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the sanctioning body for all world aviation records. Formal approval of the C-5M records by the Lausanne, Switzerland-based FAI is expected to take several weeks.

The C-5M is the product of two major upgrade programs. The Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) modifications replace the C-5's analog avionics in the Galaxy with a commercially available, digital avionics suite along with an integrated architecture that allows for upgrades. The entire system is designed to increase safety, ease crew workload and enhance situational awareness.
The second phase is the Reliability Enhancement and Re-engining Program (RERP). The RERP modifications consist of more than 70 improvements and upgrades to the C-5 airframe and systems, and include installation of higher-thrust, more reliable, more environmentally friendly F138-GE-100 turbofan engines. This engine is the military version of the CF6 engine that has recorded hundreds of millions of hours on commercial airliners all over the world and that serves on Air Force One. When a Galaxy has been through both AMP and RERP, it is redesignated a C-5M.

Current Air Force plans call for Lockheed Martin to deliver 52 C-5Ms (modification of 49 C-5Bs, two C-5Cs, and one C-5A) by 2016. Three C-5Ms have been redelivered to the Air Force.

06:31 GMT, September 22, 2009 GREENLAWN, New York | BAE Systems will provide identification-friend-or-foe (IFF) digital transponders, upgrade kits, and spares to the U.S. Navy and Army under a $20 million contract. The IFF systems increase situational awareness and help to positively establish the identity of friendly forces, reducing the risk of fratricide, or "friendly fire."

BAE Systems' IFF technology identifies aircraft and ships as friendly forces through transponders that are installed on submarines, surface ships, fixed-wing aircraft, and helicopters. The transponders work by responding to interrogations from ground-based or airborne IFF interrogator systems.

"Through use of open-system architecture and field-programmable gate arrays, the transponders are designed to be serviced and upgraded solely through software modifications, reducing risks and costs associated with hardware modifications," said Sal Costa, director of identification solutions for BAE Systems.

Under the Naval Air Systems Command contract modification, BAE Systems will deliver 46 AN/APX-118 common digital transponders and 381 AN/APX-123 transponders to the Army and Navy, along with 400 modification kits and spares.

Work will be performed in Greenlawn, New York, and is expected to be completed in December 2011. BAE Systems has delivered more than 4,500 common transponders to the Navy and Army since 1999.

Predator flying a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom lost contact with its ground control station and presumably crashed in a forward operating area May 13, according to an Air Combat Command accident investigation board report released Sept. 22 here.

The Predator, assigned to the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., did not return to its forward operating base after contact was lost.

The aircraft was not recovered and no crash site has been located. The aircraft loss is valued at approximately $3.9 million.

During the sortie, the aircraft lost its return link -- a data transmission capability from the aircraft to the ground control station. Attempts to re-establish the return link were unsuccessful.

The accident investigation board president could not determine the cause of this mishap, but he did find sufficient evidence to determine the mishap was not caused by weather, icing, aircrew performance or qualifications, fuel starvation or maintenance discrepancies.

UNITED NATIONS — After a 10-year gap, the United States on Thursday rejoins a biannual conference designed to win more support — including from the U.S. Senate — for the treaty banning all nuclear bomb tests.

A speech by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was scheduled to help kick off the U.N. session, a gathering of foreign ministers and other envoys from more than 100 nations that have ratified or at least signed the 1996 treaty. It represents the first U.S. participation since 1999.

The pact has lingered in a diplomatic limbo since a Republican-dominated Senate rejected it that year, but U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to now "aggressively" pursue ratification.

The two-day conference was being held in parallel with a summit of the 15 U.N. Security Council members on the subject of nuclear nonproliferation, presided over by Obama.

Thursday was the 13th anniversary of the ceremonial signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty by Mrs. Clinton's husband, then-President Bill Clinton, and other global leaders.

It was turned down in the Senate three years later when opponents objected that the U.S. might need to test its weapons to ensure the reliability of its nuclear stockpile, and contended that a planned International Monitoring System might fail to detect secret tests by nuclear cheaters.

Tibor Toth, who heads the U.N.-affiliated Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization, said that this time Senate skeptics will have to confront the "reality" of a working, $1-billion verification network.

"I could call it a `verification Manhattan Project," Toth told The Associated Press, referring to the all-out U.S. program that built the first bombs in the 1940s.

Experts of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences are studying the effectiveness of the verification system, along with the reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile without testing, and will report their findings this winter.

Toth said he hoped this "nonpartisan" review will reassure enough Republicans to win the needed two-thirds ratification vote in the Senate, which now has a Democratic majority. Consideration is not expected until next year.

The pact requires ratification — that is, full government approval — by 44 nuclear-capable states before it can take effect. All but nine of those have ratified, along with the governing bodies of 115 other nations.

Besides the U.S., the holdouts among the 44 are China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the U.S. and four other original nuclear powers — Russia, Britain, France and China — have observed testing moratoriums.

Indonesia has said it will ratify if the U.S. does, and analysts believe the Chinese would also follow suit. Most believe North Korea and Iran might be the final holdouts, and would be more deeply isolated internationally as a result.

Boeing to Integrate Extremely High Frequency Communication System on B-52s

WICHITA, Kan., Sept. 29, 2009 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $5.4 million contract for the initial effort required for integrating a new satellite communication system on the U.S. Air Force B-52 fleet. The Extremely High Frequency (EHF) system will enable the exchange of information through Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight Terminals (FAB-T), enabling communication with the B-52 from ground, air and space platforms.

The first of three contract increments has been authorized to begin; it includes planning, risk mitigation and development of system requirements. Increment Two will cover the design and installation of the FAB-T communication hardware. Increment Three will integrate the new system into the Global Information Grid. Total contract value is expected to be more than $100 million.

"The EHF upgrade is one of many upgrades we are installing on the B-52 fleet," said Scot Oathout, B-52 program manager for Boeing. "This capability, along with the rest of the suite, will provide B-52 crews with better situational awareness and extend the long arm of the B-52 even further into the battlefield."

A B-52 upgraded with the Combat Network Communications Technology (CONECT) network-centric upgrade completed its first flight in May and is now in the flight test program at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Boeing also is integrating the SNIPER advanced targeting pod on the B-52 and continues to install software upgrades on an 18-month schedule.

The Predator fleet passed 250,000 hours in June 2007, after 12 years of flying, and it only took a year and eight months for the aircraft to fly an additional 250,000 hours to reach 500,000 flying hours in February 2009.

Due to the continuous demand for the aircraft by combatant commanders, the Predator reached 600,000 flying hours seven months later.

An aircrew from the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew this milestone mission in support of overseas contingency operations.

"We are proud to be a part of yet another RPV milestone and will continue to make significant contributions in the future," said Lt. Col. Robert Kiebler, the 15th RS commander. "The men and women of the 15th RS provide continuous 24/7/365 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close-air support, and combat search and rescue capability to support the warfighters in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their dedication and commitment in the face of adversity is nothing short of astounding."

Fielded in 1995, the Predator's primary mission is to provide armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition to commanders in the field. The Predator can be armed with two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and carries the Multispectral Targeting System, which integrates electro-optical, infrared, laser designator and illuminator into a single sensor package.

Col. Pete Gersten, the 432d Wing and 432d Air Expeditionary Wing commander, said the capabilities of the Predator have made the aircraft a vital asset to the joint ground forces in Afghanistan and Iraq,

"The Predator provides our ground forces direct support with its unblinking eye and persistent stare, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," Colonel Gersten said. "This milestone is a true testament to the impact this capability has in the fight."

Currently there are more than 31 Predator combat air patrols flying 24/7, 365 days a year over Iraq and Afghanistan.

JTFEX functions as a certification evolution designed to test the capabilities of multiple carrier strike groups operation in a multinational, joint environment. It evaluates how ships work together in a variety of tactical situations and ensures the strike group and its crew is ready for deployment.

"We've seen some great training in all our warfare areas, and the most impressive part was the integration of our coalition partners. The training we have received with them was just fantastic," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, the strike group's commander. "We completed a spectrum of warfare, from single-ship boardings on ships that are passing through our area, to high-level scenarios where we were being attacked by submarines, surface ships, and aircraft at the same time." JTFEX was a successful demonstration of teaming with allies and Partners, he added.

One area of warfare the strike group focused on was anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

"We had a great ASW threat presentation with the Italian submarine, ITS Scire, and our own nuclear submarine. They have different capabilities and different limitations, so to work that problem was great training for us. We do a lot of ASW training in simulators, but to really excel at ASW, sailors need to train in the actual ocean environment," said Driscoll.

Participating countries included Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States. Some of the participating units included the Canadian ship HMCS Fredericton (FFG 337), Brazilian ship BNS Liberale (F43), Italian submarine ITS Scire (S527), and Royal Netherlands ships HNLMS Tromp (F803) and HNLMS Van Speijk (F828).

The exercise also marked the first ever inclusion of the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1, which includes the Danish ocean patrol vessel HDMS Thetis (F357), the Belgian coastal minehunter BNS Lobelia (M 921), the Royal Netherlands minehunter HNLMS Urk (M861), the Estonian minehunter ENS Sakala (M314), the British minesweeper HMS Quorn, and the Royal Norwegian minesweeper KNM Rauma (M352).

"It was a great opportunity to work communications and other interoperability issues with HDMS Thetis and other coalition partners during a training environment. Exercises like this will make real world operations easier to execute," said Cmdr. James Midkiff, commanding officer of USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79).

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today met with a range of United States Government officials in Washington DC, at the Pentagon and at the US Department of State, to discuss defence-related aspects of our alliance.

Mr Combet is in Washington to advance our Defence relationship, including aspects of our materiel and research cooperation.

"Australia and the United States have built a strong defence partnership through close cooperation on areas of mutual interest. Today was an important opportunity for me to renew that cooperation with key officials in the Obama Administration," Mr Combet said.

The meetings included the Deputy Secretary for Defense, Mr William Lynn III; the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ms Ellen Tauscher; and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr Ashton Carter.

"Our strong relationship with the United States Government is critical for the delivery of our current major capability programs, and will be essential for the delivery of our future force.

"I was able to discuss the high level of cooperation we are enjoying on current major projects such as the Joint Strike Fighter. This has given us a wonderful insight into the project. I was also able to get further briefings to those I have received at the Fort Worth facility on the progress of the project.

"Australia's partnership in the JSF Program has provided Australian industry with the opportunity to become part of the F-35 global supply and support chain.

"Just as importantly I was able to discuss future cooperation regarding the development of Australia's future submarine with some of the key officials in the Obama Administration. A key area of interest was the parallels between procurement reforms being pursued by the Rudd Government and the Obama Administration."

To further this potential area of cooperation Mr Combet met with senior research and engineering officials at the Pentagon, including Assistant Secretary Navy - Research and Acquisition and the Director of Defense Research and Engineering.

Mr Combet also took the opportunity to reinforce Australia's support for the ratification of the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty.

"Cooperation through a Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty will serve to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries. The treaty will enhance Australia-US interoperability in defence and counterterrorism activities, improve cooperation on joint research and capability development projects and expand opportunities for Australian industry.

"We look forward to its ratification and the benefits on trade in controlled defence goods and technology that it will bring for both countries," Mr Combet said.

"The United States Administration has expressed support for the Treaty, and its desire for quick US Senate ratification of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty."

Apart from his meetings at the Pentagon and Department of State, Mr Combet also met with officials of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and committee member Senator Jim Webb.

"I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with the Committee the Defence Treaty and the conditions required for implementation. I was also able to discuss recent developments in regards to Climate Change with Senator Webb," Mr Combet said.

Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today met with a range of United States Government officials in Washington DC, at the Pentagon and at the US Department of State, to discuss defence-related aspects of our alliance.

Mr Combet is in Washington to advance our Defence relationship, including aspects of our materiel and research cooperation.

"Australia and the United States have built a strong defence partnership through close cooperation on areas of mutual interest. Today was an important opportunity for me to renew that cooperation with key officials in the Obama Administration," Mr Combet said.

The meetings included the Deputy Secretary for Defense, Mr William Lynn III; the Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ms Ellen Tauscher; and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr Ashton Carter.

"Our strong relationship with the United States Government is critical for the delivery of our current major capability programs, and will be essential for the delivery of our future force.

"I was able to discuss the high level of cooperation we are enjoying on current major projects such as the Joint Strike Fighter. This has given us a wonderful insight into the project. I was also able to get further briefings to those I have received at the Fort Worth facility on the progress of the project.

"Australia's partnership in the JSF Program has provided Australian industry with the opportunity to become part of the F-35 global supply and support chain.

"Just as importantly I was able to discuss future cooperation regarding the development of Australia's future submarine with some of the key officials in the Obama Administration. A key area of interest was the parallels between procurement reforms being pursued by the Rudd Government and the Obama Administration."

To further this potential area of cooperation Mr Combet met with senior research and engineering officials at the Pentagon, including Assistant Secretary Navy - Research and Acquisition and the Director of Defense Research and Engineering.

Mr Combet also took the opportunity to reinforce Australia's support for the ratification of the Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty.

"Cooperation through a Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty will serve to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries. The treaty will enhance Australia-US interoperability in defence and counterterrorism activities, improve cooperation on joint research and capability development projects and expand opportunities for Australian industry.

"We look forward to its ratification and the benefits on trade in controlled defence goods and technology that it will bring for both countries," Mr Combet said.

"The United States Administration has expressed support for the Treaty, and its desire for quick US Senate ratification of the Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty."

Apart from his meetings at the Pentagon and Department of State, Mr Combet also met with officials of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and committee member Senator Jim Webb.

"I appreciated the opportunity to discuss with the Committee the Defence Treaty and the conditions required for implementation. I was also able to discuss recent developments in regards to Climate Change with Senator Webb," Mr Combet said.

Source : MoD Australia

Click to expand...

Not a bad news, i was thinking OZs have stopped trusting US for defence and security issues. May be rise of china and their unexplained rise in military budget causing OZs to be concerned and develop new cooperation with US.

Navy Establishes Carrier Strike Group 1United States of America, 2 October 2009

SAN DIEGO -- The Navy formally established Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 in San Diego October 1, 2009. The flagship for CSG 1 will be the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), currently homeported in Newport News, Va. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) and USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) will round out the strike group.

Commanded by Rear Adm. Ted "Twig" Branch, CSG 1 will be a San Diego-based operational command and will report to Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet.

"We are excited by the opportunity to establish this new command and bring the power of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group online in support of our nation's defense," said Branch. "I'm also very happy to bring this capability, along with the men and women who make it possible, to the great city of San Diego."

Carrier Strike Group 1's first mission is expected to be a transit around South America in the spring of 2010 as Vinson relocates to its new homeport of San Diego.

In support of the nation's maritime strategy, CSG-1 will help promote regional partnerships, deter crisis, project power, promote maritime security, and provide humanitarian assistance or disaster relief within the U.S. Pacific Fleet's 100 million square-mile area of operations.

The Navy took redelivery of Vinson July 11, 2009, following the successful completion of the ship's midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH).

USS Carl Vinson is the third Nimitz-class aircraft carrier to complete RCOH at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News and is undergoing a four-month post-refueling shipyard maintenance period to prepare for its transit to San Diego.

General Dynamics Receives U.S. Army Contract for Abrams Tank System Technical Support United States of America, 2 October 2009

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. | General Dynamics Land Systems, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded contracts valued at $58 million for Abrams Tank Systems Technical Support (STS) by the U.S. Army TACOM Lifecycle Management Command of Warren, Mich.

The award will fund engineering studies on Abrams main battle tanks to identify improvements and replace obsolete parts to maintain the tanks at high operational readiness rates. The work will be performed by existing General Dynamics Land Systems personnel in Sterling Heights, Mich. It is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2011.

General Dynamics Land Systems plays an integral role in the U.S. Army's core vehicle programs, including the Abrams tank (M1A2 SEP upgrade and AIM), Stryker infantry combat vehicle and Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicle, and in its modernization plan.